Homeowners associations (Phoenix, Tempe: rental, homes, bank)

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Let me re-phrase: There is no law (statute) that "caps" increases.

Individual CC+R's may limit. But, not the law

My mistake for not being clear. Sorry

I kinda had a feeling that's where you were going on this one, Greatday.

[mattyk]

Originally Posted by shadow91

I lived in an HOA once, never again. The neighbor was a stalker, called the cops on my dog all the time, turned me into the HOA, they wrote me a letter telling me I had 10 days to remove the dog or they would. Yea right!!! I immediately called the president and reminded him that just 5 months prior I had called him complaining about this same neighbor. He told me it was just a form letter not to worry--I told him if they take my dog, they will take every barking dog in the HOA. I was so upset. Then my sister got a ticket for parking on the street, get this, at 2 AM because ******* neighbor called the HOA police. Seems you can't park on the street either. That did it for me. Luckily I was renting my home and could move out. But it gave me the experience that if I ever buy a house, it will not be with an HOA.

the *******s dont realize that your dogs a part of your family?? my cousin in san diego had the same problem with the hoa threatening to take there dog away. he said, and i quote, "if you come in my back yard i will shoot you dead!!!"

[mattyk]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Well, you know you don't, right...

i did. i sold my place and have a 6 month lease on an apartment till i go to mississippi

[EinQueenCreek]

For those that have been led to believe that HOA's help keep your property values up....think about this....you will never own your home. If you pay off the mortgage you will NEVER stop paying your HOA fees. It is like taxes. I agree with the person that said HOA's were organized by lawyers. If you want to test this, don't pay your dues for a couple of months. This is a cash cow for lawyers. The paralegal that runs the collection department for Circle Cross Ranch HOA is making a killing. With the housing market in turmoil one would think the HOA's would be ease up on making people's lives miserable. Having lived in several communities with an HOA, I find that there is always some over-zealous member that feels he/she was put on this earth to write up their neighbors. The profile is quite common; the person does not hold a full time job, has never had any power before, and thinks they are now important. For those of you that want to believe you're getting your money's worth for what an HOA provides.....just remember.....your will never own your home.

[EinQueenCreek]

If there was a revolution to abolish home owner's associations I would be the first to sign up. HOA's are just a source of revenue for legal professionals. HOA's are like timeshares...a scam. People should see the plush office building that the HOA works out of in Scottsdale, AZ. The rent alone on the office space must cost homeowners a good chunk of money.

[uk2fh]

All I can say is Thank God for my HOA. Perhaps, Matty K, "the *******s don't realize that your dogs (are?) a part of your family??" because in situations where poor unfortunate dogs are left out in the yard barking at two or three am and waking all the neighbors on a regular basis it usually takes a strong HOA to resolve the problem once and for all. The county/Police authorities are far too busy most of the time to respond effectively.
I understand that the dogs are part of the pet-owner's family, but they are not part of mine. I don't impose my noise on my neighbors in the middle of the night and I expect the same courteousy from them. Of course most dog-owners ensure that these wonderful animals are well-cared for have no adverse effect on the neighborhood;most, but not all. In these kinds of cases I'm all in favor of a firm approach from the HOA (and before you ask I have never been on a HOA Board).
Also I have noticed in my area that those who complain loudest about the rules of the HOA are the first people to go running for HOA help when a new neighbor moves in and does something THEY don't like!
Captain Bill's point is still the bottom line- if you really don't want to be subject to HOA rules then don't move to a development with an HOA even if that leaves you with less choice. I had assumed people understand that you should read the HOA covenants before buying a home but judging by some of the comments on this thread some buyers obviously didn't care to do so.

[crewbank]

One easy way to avoid HOAs is to move into a GOOD older neighborhood that has been well built and well-mantained. YES, Arizonans, you CAN own a house that is more than 5 years old and I promise it won't turn to dust if you bump into a wall, especially if it is a well-built block or brick home! Many homes in Scottsdale, Phoenix (Arcadia/Biltmore, for example), and Tempe are in great shape, in great neighborhoods, and many have been upgraded so they have MORE amenities and are more energy-efficient than your run-of-the-mill stucco clone on much more land. We have a beautiful block home in Tempe in a great crime-free neighborhood on a big lot, and we pay less than $100/month for electricity on average!

Look around for good old properties, and please help break the HOA strangle hold on our increasingly ugly metropolis.

[felt]

I'm thankful every day that I purchased a home in an HOA. I shudder to think what my neighborhood would look like if there was no one to tell my neighbors to clean up their weeds, not park cars and trailers in the landscaped side yards, paint their peeling trim and garage doors etc. etc. It's unfortunate that what used to be considered taking pride in your home and being considerate of your neighbors has to be enforced via an HOA, but that's the way it seems to be in many parts of the Phoenix area.

[crewbank]

Felt, I shudder to think that you no longer feel you can TALK to a neighbor who is problematic. That's how civilization used to function not so long ago. I will be the first to admit that as a Tempe resident, college kids are occasionally less than considerate, but VERY rarely do they not immediately rectify problems if they are respectfully confronted, as is the case with the weed guy, and the ubiquitous "mechanic" in every neighborhood. I have done this exactly once in all my years here and never had a problem since...no HOA required! It helps that Tempe has very strict property maintenance laws, noise ordinances ($250 fine for first violation), vehicle parking codes (no overnight parking on most resdiential streets), and co-habitation laws (no more than 3 unrelated people allowed to live in one home).

It is law enforcement's job to maintain order in difficult circumstances, but MOST people want a nice neighborhood and a peaceful life. The problem with Tempe and other HOA-unfriendly communities is that people don't call the police or file complaints when necessary, and problems fester, although not in my neighborhood.

Talk to each other for god's sakes!!! I am happy to get to know and hold my neighbors accountable rather than pay some bitter retiree $250 a month to tell me how to paint my house and landscape my yard.

[j760]

Originally Posted by crewbank

Felt, I shudder to think that you no longer feel you can TALK to a neighbor who is problematic. That's how civilization used to function not so long ago. I will be the first to admit that as a Tempe resident, college kids are occasionally less than considerate, but VERY rarely do they not immediately rectify problems if they are respectfully confronted, as is the case with the weed guy, and the ubiquitous "mechanic" in every neighborhood. I have done this exactly once in all my years here and never had a problem since...no HOA required! It helps that Tempe has very strict property maintenance laws, noise ordinances ($250 fine for first violation), vehicle parking codes (no overnight parking on most resdiential streets), and co-habitation laws (no more than 3 unrelated people allowed to live in one home).

It is law enforcement's job to maintain order in difficult circumstances, but MOST people want a nice neighborhood and a peaceful life. The problem with Tempe and other HOA-unfriendly communities is that people don't call the police or file complaints when necessary, and problems fester, although not in my neighborhood.

Talk to each other for god's sakes!!! I am happy to get to know and hold my neighbors accountable rather than pay some bitter retiree $250 a month to tell me how to paint my house and landscape my yard.

I couldn't agree more.